Mallory: Vines make gardens a shade prettier

To add another dimension to a shade garden, think vines, often referred to as climbers and creepers. If space is limited, they can offer height either on a trellis or fence or be used as ground covers on a difficult slope or rocky hillside.

As with most plants, a little research can go a long way in selecting the correct vine to complement an existing garden.

Support is necessary and, depending on the vine, a sturdy support is preferable to an ornamental one. Twining vines such as wisterias will twist themselves around a trellis or pole while clinging vines such as ivy have aerial roots that attach to a wall or tree.

If you have ever tried to remove ivy from a brick wall, you know the difficulty in scraping the roots from the wall.

Clematis, a perennial, isn't a new choice but it is one that is sometimes overlooked as an additional plant within a partial shade garden. With many colors from which to choose, don't stop with only one color. Select one early, midseason, and late-season variety to grow on the same support to provide continuous color.

During the first year, clematis' aboveground growth is slow; but by the third year, it will be covered in blooms and worth the wait. Clematis will also do well in a sunny location if its "feet" or roots are shaded and well-mulched. For a lush appearance, do not remove or cut back old growth. Although the plant may look dead, it's still alive.

Climbing hydrangea is often grown around a tree to give it the sturdy support it requires. Depending on the variety, this vine can reach 20 to 80 feet. To keep the hydrangea manageable, prune annually after flowering and water often.

Mandevilla, an annual in our zone, grows well in ground or in a container with a support. Native to the mountains of Central and South America, the plant does well in partial shade. Provide ample water during hot weather. The plant may be grown indoors during the winter.

When driving down a rural road in the summer, sun-loving Campsis "trumpet vines" can be seen growing in the wild. Difficult to grow in the north, our Chicago daughter-in-law was amazed to see the trumpets thriving along the roadside and on telephone poles. When in Mexico we saw similar growth with bougainvillea vines that not only grew on the telephone poles but also followed the wires across the street and down the other side.

Looking ahead to next year's sun garden, two additional colors in the Lo and Behold butterfly bush series are listed in Proven Winner's 2013 spring preview catalog. Lo and Behold "Ice Chip" and "Lilac Chip" are even more compact than Blue Chip, making them ideal for a small garden or containers. The Master Garden Display Garden features two of the dwarf Blue Chips that are literally covered with blooms. With no deadheading, the plants are ideal for the busy gardener.

Garden do's the next two weeks:

Continue to inspect plants for insects and fungi.

Deadhead spent blooms, especially daylilies.

Weed flower and vegetable gardens.

Water newly planted annuals and perennials.

Irises may be cut back. Inspect for borers.

Julie Mallory is past president of the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardeners Association and has been an avid gardener for many years. She can be reached at ladygardener@insightbb.com.